Webinar: Military Death and Disenfranchised Grief

GUEST SPEAKERS:

Kenneth J. Doka, PhD, MDiv
Professor of Gerontology at the Graduate School of The College of New Rochelle and Senior Consultant to the Hospice Foundation of America

Program Moderator: Jill Harrington LaMorie, MSW, LSW, ACSW, Director, Professional Education, Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors.

Disenfranchised grief often results from a loss that is not acknowledged or recognized by society. Traditional forms of grief, such as loss of a spouse, parent or child are more heavily recognized, even in nontraditional living situations. Examples of losses that can lead to disenfranchised grief are the loss of a boyfriend/fiancé, ex-spouse/estranged spouse, same-sex partner/lover, or sibling. Loss of employment, divorce, disability, abuse/neglect and addiction are other forms of loss. Disenfranchised grief can also occur when a death is stigmatized and feels shameful (eg., death by suicide, AIDS, homicide) and the grieving individual fears judgment by others which stops them from expressing their grief, impeding healing.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

1. Understand the concept of disenfranchised grief.
2. Discuss military-specific issues that may lead to disenfranchised grief.
3. Offer suggestions for assessment and intervention.

TARGET AUDIENCE

This activity is intended for all professional caregivers providing services to military service members, military families, survivors grieving the death of a military service member, as well as those working in the community providing care to the bereaved. This activity includes, but is not limited to chaplains, casualty assistance officers, military personnel and leadership, social workers, nurses, counselors, marriage and family therapists, case managers, employee assistance professionals, school counselors, program directors, and other health and mental health professionals.

CONTINUING EDUCATION INFORMATION FOR SOCIAL WORKERS, NURSES AND CHAPLAINS

Certificates of Attendance can be provided for those who attend the entire webinar. The Association of Professional Chaplains will accept certificates of attendance for use in reporting continuing education hours. This program is approved by the National Association of Social Workers, Provider #886505639, for 1.0 continuing education contact hours. Please check with your state licensing board for professional requirements for continuing education.

PROGRAM FEE

There is no program fee for military personnel, Department of Veterans Affairs Employees, and Give-An-Hour Volunteers. There is a $25.00 program fee for all others to attend the program (with or without CEUs). Students with a valid school email address will receive a $10.00 discount. The program fee includes attendance and certificate fees. 

CEU FEE 

For anyone receiving free program attendance and seeking to receive Continuing Education Units (CEUs), due to high costs of CEU administration, a $25.00 CEU fee is required.

For more information, contact education@taps.org